1
Stepping out in the HighwoodDances and social events took place all over the Highwood area in the early days. People worked hard and they welcomed the opportunity to relax and "let loose". A special occasion, benefit or just plain want of company was reason enough to celebrate with a dance. Dances were held in people's homes and in local halls, hotels and restaurants.
2
Julia Short's Diary December 26, 188426 December 1884
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives - Julia Short's diary
3
Julia Short's Diary - December 26, 188426 December 1884
Highwood Area, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood
4
Pioneer DancesJulia Short attended some the very first dances held in High River. Dances were regularly held at Buck Smith's stopping place, one of High River's very first businesses. Because people had to walk or ride to and from the dance, the party would either last until the sun came up or be held on a full moon so that there would be light to go home by.
People would come from far and wide to attend some of those early dances, thinking nothing of driving ten or twenty miles in a sleigh with their feet kept warm by hot rocks. There was often a lack of women. To prevent a pre-song scramble for girls, dance cards were sometimes tied onto the ladies' wrists. The cards would contain a list of songs that were to be played that night and the men would sign their name next to a song to reserve a dance.
5
Group of High River pioneers in front of Buck Smith's Stopping House, the morning after a dance.Circa 1885
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 979-015-025
6
Dance Card13 August 1909
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood
7
Invitation for a Ball and Supper in Alberta Hall Dewdney12 January 1898
Highwood Area, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 977-060-005
8
Invitation to A Grand Ball at the Union Hall, Tongue Creek15 July 1904
Highwood Area, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 973-015-001
9
Invitation for a polo dance1909-Sep-24
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood, 967-011-022
10
High River polo team: George Ross, Harry Robertson, Ted Norton, Marston SexsmithCirca 1908
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood, 978-010-010
11
Postcard, "Don't Dance Too Hard" sent to Mrs. Ernest McLeod, High River, Alberta5 January 1911
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 983-034-127
12
Dance ControversyThe style of music performed in High River dances depended upon the times. Some dance styles, such as the tango and jazz, came to town under some controversy. In 1913, the High River Times reminded readers that:
"The Vatican at Rome prohibits Catholics from dancing the tango and other such immoral dances. Women who have danced the tango will be denied communion and women wearing slit skirts will not be permitted to enter the church."
Six years later however, the High River Times defended Jazz music saying;
"Some of our prominent men, both in business and religions, are incensed at the High River Jazz because of the suggestive music played by the orchestra. We hold forth that their music is no more suggestive then any music which is being played at the local dance hall. It is just as possible to "rag" and "wiggle" and "hug" to one popular dance time as it is to another. Augmented orchestras and different kinds of instruments make no difference."
13
A Party in the C.P.R. Depot26 January 1922
High River, Alberta, Canada
A Party in the C.P.R. Depot
"A unique party was given by Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Green in the C.P.R. depot on Friday evening. After the evening train had wended its way southward, the gentlemen's waiting room was arranged with card tables for a whist drive, while the ladies' waiting room was reserved for dancing. Over a hundred guests participated and following the card playing, both waiting room floors were jammed with dancers until three o'clock in the morning."
- High River Times, Jan 26, 1922
Credits:
The Best Of Times, Vol 3, Published by Century Books, High River
14
The High River band at the CPR station, High RiverCirca 1915
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives, 980-088-021
 |
 |
 |
 |